Historic Nimmitabel

According to available records, Nimmitabel was settled in the 1830's but wasn't designated as a village until a survey in 1858. At this time the village consisted of slab and bark huts amidst rich grazing properties leased from the crown.

Nimmitabel's climate and isolation have made life somewhat of a hardship, even in the 21st century. Whilst locals fight hard for services which most Australians take for granted, Nimmitabel often remains forgotten. As an example, only in 2012 will we see the construction of a dam to ensure a drought proof water supply, a basic facility which locals have been fighting for, for over fifty years.

Employment opportunities have always been somewhat limited. A sawmill at the northern end of the village operated from 1948 until closure in 1992 and there were a small number of jobs available when the railway was operating. Throughout the 1990's we lost our RTA depot, railway service, post office and sawmill. Severe droughts since the mid 1980's have meant that grazing properties which in the past had managers and farm workers, are now reliant on casual workers. Today there are only half a dozen businesses in the main street, mostly catering for the passing tourist trade.

Extensive information on Nimmitabel's history is available on information signs at Lake Williams and Geldmacher House. The tourist information brochures carried at all the shop front businesses includes the Heritage Trail map. Another rich source of historical information is the local publication "The Journey from Nimitybelle to Nimmitabel", also available at several of the businesses.

Nimmitabel's Heritage Trail is a fascinating walk through almost 200 years of villagers rising above adversity and creating something special, Nimmitabel, the Monaro's best kept secret!

Send us your pictures of old Nimmitabel and we'll put them on-line for you.